My New Appreciation of Wrath of Khan
My cousin Michelle loaned me the original Star Trek movies on blu-ray and I rewatched Wrath of Khan (the one with Ricardo Mantalban’s enormous breasts) and The Voyage Home (the one with the whales). It’s generally accepted that these are the best two of the original Star Trek films. When I first started getting into the original series back in 2007, I watched all the films and put them in an order of likeness, placing Wrath of Khan all the way at number 4. I also debated with Brian and proclaimed it’s awfulness. But after rewatching it, I have to admit, it’s pretty damn good. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s certainly no First Contact, and I still think that The Voyage Home is the best of the original series, but I enjoyed Wrath of Khan a lot more now than when I first watched it. Maybe it was my lowered expectations? I mean, all your life you’re told that Wrath of Khan is the pinnacle of all Star Trek, and then you watch it and have no choice but to be disappointed. But you know what I think it is? Wrath of Khan (like all good Star Trek) is about the characters. It’s such an amazing character movie, that you have to be absolutely in love with the characters to appreciate it. And at the time I originally watched it, I just didn’t have that full appreciation yet. So when you watch the movie and there’s hardly any action, and the space battle at the end takes place in a weird 70′s tie-dye explosion, you’re too busy being disappointed to realize what a great character driven movie you’re watching. So yes, I admit it, Wrath of Khan is a great Star Trek movie, and as long as it withstands an upset by The Undiscovered Country when I rewatch it, can rightfully take it’s place as my second favorite of the original Star Trek movies.
June 8, 2010 7:10 am 19 Comments
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By Howard, June 8, 2010 @ 8:04 am
You should watch VI again. Over the years that one has really jumped up my list. Despite its uber-cheesy “good-bye” ending, it’s quite humorous and full of intrigue. With II Nicholas Meyer was trying to make a good old-fashioned naval battle movie. With VI he came back and tried to make a good old-fashioned detective movie. In space.
By Michelle, June 8, 2010 @ 8:07 am
I’m really glad that you enjoyed it! It’s always been one of my favorites but I can see how you would be disappointed if that was when you were first learning about Star Trek. You are right, the best part of it is the characters, how they interact etc. I love the whole theme about Kirk feeling old and regaining his enthusiasm by the end. I cry my eyes out of course in the final scene with him and Spock.
I agree that it didn’t have as much action as I had remembered. But at the time, we were kids seeing it (and ST) on the big screen for the first time. That was an extremely powerful and emotional experience and made me a true ST fan. Also, it was one of the first big special fx movies of its day (coming after Star Wars).
My favorite part is still when Kirk is fooling Kahn into waiting while he gets ready to fire. It’s such a classic Kirk moment, like at the end of 2009 movie when he tells the Romulum that “I’ve got your gun!”
By Mel, June 8, 2010 @ 8:10 am
Watching the brain fluke thing crawl into Chekov’s ear was the best scene, IMO, but I’m a sucker for anything involving parasites.
By john, June 8, 2010 @ 8:19 am
Mel: LOL! That scene totally creeps me out and though I have only seen that movie once, it is the scene I remember vividly.
By Polt, June 8, 2010 @ 8:20 am
I agree Craiggers. Without knowledge of the first encounter with Khan, and without a deep, almost intimate understanding of the characters, you wouldn’t be able to fully appreciate WoK.
Glad you enjoyed it.
HUGS…
By rayy, June 8, 2010 @ 8:35 am
Like any Star Trek creation featuring Shatner, it is cheesy, but that is what makes it great! I still have nightmares about that ear-whig thing.
By Tam, June 8, 2010 @ 10:09 am
Does his enormous chest look better on blue ray? I’m not sure I have a favourite. I’ve seen most of them (not sure all) and I enjoy them but they just all blur together with titles like “the whale one”.
I’m not sure I agree with Mel that the particular scene he mentions is the “best” but is certainly the most memorable. Now I have the heebie jeebies.
By Craig, June 8, 2010 @ 10:26 am
Michelle had told me, and I have to agree, the blu-ray transfer for Khan wasn’t as good as it was for Voyage Home, which was fantastic. Although I have to say, the transfer for Final Frontier was probably the best so far, which is funny because it’s considered the worst movie (even though I love it).
By The Ryan with the Cupcake, June 8, 2010 @ 10:50 am
I haven’t seen Wrath of Khan other than some clips. I have seen Generations, which I understand to have the same plot.
By Mikey, June 8, 2010 @ 3:56 pm
The Undiscovered Country will remain my absolute favorite Star Trek of all time. The mindmeld scene with Leonard Nimoy and Kim Cattrall is classic. I mean…seriously…who else can make extraordinary pain look like sex better than her!?!?
By Michelle M., June 8, 2010 @ 8:49 pm
No! Not the bore worms!
Wait – that’s Flash Gordon.
By Justin S., June 8, 2010 @ 10:28 pm
I am a huge Star Trek fan but I have to admit I never really liked any of the early movies. I wasn’t a fan of the original series either. For me, it’s all about the Next Generation and Voyager. Wrath of Khan was a pretty good movie. I found the one with the whales tolerable as well. For me, the best Stark Trek movie has to be First Contact. I also really enjoyed the reboot movie from 2 summers ago.
By Adam, June 9, 2010 @ 8:10 am
You love Star Trek V: The Final Frontier?!!! YOU ARE NO LONGER MY BROTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Adam, June 9, 2010 @ 8:13 am
but seriously, I have told you for years now… 2, 4 and 6 are the best Star Trek movies (original cast). I don’t try and put them in order, Ijust appreciate them all and try not to think about the odd numbered ones.
By Andrew J., June 9, 2010 @ 7:03 pm
Your post has inspired me to purchase the “Wrath of Khan” blu-ray.
But I’m flummoxed by your love for Star Trek V.
Being more of a TNG-era Star Trek fan, my last $$$ splurge was to but the entire “Deep Space 9″ dvd set. I’m halfway through season 2 and amazed how well it holds up (and how under-appreciated that series was).
By josh, June 9, 2010 @ 10:48 pm
Dat guy’s face lookz like lasagna!
By Justin, June 9, 2010 @ 10:59 pm
Ugh. Barf. The **ONLY** good (read: not vomitously and insultingly bad) Star Trek movies are 2, 3, and 4. Khan, Search for Spock, and Voyage Home. The rest are all horrendous. First Contact is the only one of the bad ones that has *some* redeeming qualities. The latest (or as Justin S puts it, “reboot”) movie is good, too.
Final Frontier was the worst of the worst (not including 1, which was just a bad remake of The Changeling of course as everybody knows). Undiscovered Country was a close second-worst. Generations was embarrassingly awful. Haven’t we been through these debates in facebook threads recently?
My personal favorite is 4 (Voyage Home). I *love* the Klingon ship uncloaking above the whaling vessel. And the “transparent aluminum”. And the 20th-century earth person getting to go to the future. It’s goofy but I love it.
By Howard, June 10, 2010 @ 10:01 am
Now you’ve gone and made me listen to the Wrath of Khan remastered soundtrack. *kisses*
By Chris, June 27, 2010 @ 2:56 am
It’s good that you’ve realized that II is an excellent movie (the best one really). The real admission needs to be that you’ve realized V is unbearable dreck. And seriously, First Contact (or anything with the NG crew) does not even deserve mention. TMP was an outstanding scifi film… just not very good Star Trek; it deserves recognition for being intriguing and beautiful though.